Philadelphia found their next defensive coordinator in a surprising place: Their offensive coaching staff.
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports Juan Castillo will be moved from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator. Long-time Colts offensive line coach Howard Mudd will take over the offensive line duties.
Mike Nolan once made a similar move from receivers coach to defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Bill Belichick was an offensive coach early in his career. With that said, there are few examples of coaches in this day of specialization making this kind of jump. Castillo hasn’t coached defense since he was at a Texas high school in 1989.
It’s a bold and possible defining move at a tenuous time in Andy Reid’s tenure in Philadelphia. There will be a ridiculous amount of pressure on Castillo, but the decision is so out-of-the-box that we are want to give it a chance.
UPDATE: The Eagles have confirmed the move.